Improving Blood Pressure Among African Americans With Hypertension Using a Mobile Health Approach (the MI-BP App):...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• African Americans experience significant disparities in hypertension (HTN) management.
• Mobile health (mHealth) interventions show promise for chronic disease self-care.
• The emergency department (ED) is an underutilized setting for reaching this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the efficacy of the MI-BP mHealth app for hypertension self-management in African Americans.
• To assess the app's impact on blood pressure control, physical activity, sodium intake, and medication adherence.
• To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the MI-BP app compared to usual care.

Main Methods:

• A 1-year randomized controlled trial involving 396 African American participants with uncontrolled HTN.
• Participants recruited from two EDs in Detroit, Michigan.
• Intervention group uses the MI-BP app; control group receives usual care.

Main Results:

• Recruitment began in January 2018 and the study is ongoing through 2021.
• Data collection and analysis are in progress.

Conclusions:

• The MI-BP app is the first mHealth intervention of its kind tested in an ED setting for uncontrolled hypertension.
• It aims to improve lifestyle modifications and reduce HTN-related health disparities.
• The study seeks to improve outcomes for individuals relying on the ED for chronic disease care.